Liverpool roll on.
A performance at struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers that started slowly, sparked into life, veered off course and then refound its rhythm took Arne Slot’s side back to the top of the Premier League.
We analyse the major talking points.
Why an ugly win is significant
It wasn’t a show of force that took Liverpool to the Premier League summit.
Slot’s side started sloppily and for most of the first half, the performance was disjointed. They struggled to build momentum and only came to life just before the break.
Then Liverpool gift-wrapped the hosts an equaliser with some shoddy defending in the second half and endured some nervy moments after Mohamed Salah had restored their lead.
On a day when Liverpool never really clicked as an attacking force, Slot was once again grateful for a dominant display from Ryan Gravenberch, who continues to shine in the holding midfield role.
The Netherlands international won all eight of his duels and all three of his tackles, as well as completing 57 of his 62 passes (92 per cent).
This was a first for Slot’s tenure as he watched his team win ugly. The Dutchman’s body language on the touchline laid bare that he wasn’t overly satisfied with the performance.
But he will have admired the work ethic and character shown to grind out the three points. If Liverpool are going to launch a title challenge they will need to win on days when they are far from their best.
There’s much to improve but what a platform they have to make their required tweaks: five wins out of six in the top flight and seven wins out of eight in all competitions.
The good and bad of Konate
Ibrahima Konate was stuck in a rut.
An alarming slump in form saw him lose his place to Jarell Quansah towards the end of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign. Then the centre-back found himself out of favour for France at Euro 2024.
However, a new era at Anfield triggered a change in his fortunes. Since Konate replaced Quansah at half-time against Ipswich Town on the opening weekend of the season, he’s been almost ever-present in the Premier League but this contest showed his impressive and infuriating sides.
Having gone over two years without a goal, he has now netted twice in 12 days.
Konate followed up his header in the Champions League victory over AC Milan by opening the scoring at Molineux. There was only going to be one winner when he attacked Diogo Jota’s cross just before the break and nodded past Sam Johnstone from six yards out.
Ibrahima Konate scores at Wolves (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
Considering his aerial threat, it’s crazy that he had to wait until his 57th top-flight game for Liverpool to register his first Premier League goal. Throw into the mix his assist for Luis Diaz against Bournemouth last weekend and Konate has played an important role at both ends of the field.
However, he was also guilty of offering Wolves a way back into the game in the second half. Rather than deal with a simple situation, he tried to shepherd the ball back to Alisson…
… and his hesitancy allowed Jorgen Strand Larsen to steal in…
… and set up Rayan Ait-Nouri.
It was Konate rather than Alisson at fault, and the pair spent the next few seconds deep in discussion. To compound matters, the defender was booked for a rash challenge on Matheus Cunha.
But Konate regained his composure to make a crucial covering block to deny Carlos Forbs after Salah had restored Liverpool’s lead.
A day to remember, and forget.
Salah pivotal again – despite miss
For someone of Salah’s calibre, it was a shock.
When Liverpool’s high press resulted in a wayward pass from Mario Lemina, the Egyptian looked destined to score and make it 2-0 early in the second half.
However, with the net gaping, Salah inexplicably stuck the ball wide. When Ait-Nouri then equalised soon after, there was a danger that wasted opportunity would prove costly.
But Nelson Semedo’s senseless decision to haul down Jota in the box ensured that Salah was handed the chance to quickly make amends from the penalty spot. He dispatched the spot kick with ease.
Mohamed Salah scores his penalty (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
It was his third successful Premier League penalty in a row since he missed against Newcastle United on New Year’s Day and he has now scored in three successive Premier League away games for the first time since October 2021.
He wasn’t at his devastating best against Wolves but once again, he made the decisive contribution.
What did Slot say?
Arne Slot admitted Liverpool had started sluggishly at Molineux, but was pleased with how they gripped the game as it went on.
“Wolves had a week to prepare and they had a good game plan,” he told Sky Sports. “We had some problems in the first 20 minutes. They overloaded our right side a lot with many players so that was why it was a bit difficult for us at the start.
“But after that we controlled the game much better. We were much more patient as we kept circulating the ball and scored a good goal. In the second half we came out much better when it came to pressing. The energy and the intensity was much higher than in the first 20 minutes.”
Slot was keen to praise his midfield combination of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister for helping his team keep control, but was eager to downplay expectations around his side.
“They are so comfortable on the ball and that helps if you want to have a possession-based style of play,” he said. “The two of them can run as well.
“We still have a lot to prove when we come across the top teams but it’s good that we have these points and we are where we are at the moment.
“I always try to be realistic. Jurgen’s work was incredible here. Two years ago was the last time they played Champions League and they finished fifth in the league. Now we have to prove that we can do it in the Champions League and the Premier League.”
What next for Liverpool?
Wednesday, October 2: Bologna (H), Champions League, 8pm BST, 3pm ET
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(Top photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
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